Over the last decade, Middletown has seen a boom in new restaurants, with more than 30 dining choices within a few blocks of the museum. For a listing of many of the restaurants in the area, check out the Downtown Directory.

Here is a brief listing of a few family-oriented favorites:

Best lunch counter:

Ford News: a quick, inexpensive and kid-friendly spot for burgers/hotdogs/grilled cheese & fries. (358 Main, 860-346-4655)

Cafe & Lunch:

Brewbakers: cushy couches, a deli, and toddler-friendly bagels, muffins and fruit salad. (169 Main, 860-852-0001 website)

Puttin' on the Ritz:

The Tavern at the Armory: parent-pleasing real food, and a kids' menu with the classics. Great clam chowder. (70 Main, 860-346-2288 website)

Best International Food:

We just can't pick. There's Thai (2), Mexican (2), Japanese (2), Tibetan, Indian, Vietnamese, Italian (5), and artistic Chinese, all within stroller-distance of Kidcity. Not to mention a gourmet vegetarian and seafood restaurant called It's Only Natural. Yum! (Check out the Downtown Directory for a complete list).

Memorable Cuppa' Joe:

Klekolo World Coffee is a mecca for those who take their coffee very seriously. (181 Court Street, 860--343-9444)

The new kid on the block is a smooth cafe named Javapalooza. (330 Main, 860-346-5282)

Best Diner:

O'Rourke's Diner. A true classic. We love this diner so much, we created a mini-O'Rourke's in our Main Street Exhibit. Be prepared to wait in line for weekend brunch. (728 Main, 860-346-6101)

Best Treat:

A tie between the long list of creamy and creative hand-made flavors at Praeline's Ice Cream, and the small but perfect list of Italian ices made one-batch-at-a-time at Vecchitto's Lemon Ice. (Praeline's is open year-round at 170 Main Street, 860-347-2663, and Vecchitto's is at 323 DeKoven Drive, and is only open from about mid-May to about mid-September.)

Best stores:

Amato's Toy & Hobby has lots of educational toys, as well as costumes, puppets and art supplies, and an exhaustive quantity of model train & airplane supplies. (395 Main Street, 860-347-1893) website

Broad Street Books (the Wesleyan University bookstore) has a decent kid's section, as well as a cafe. (45 Broad Street, 860-685-READ)

Where to Stay:

The Inn at Middletown opened in 2003 in the renovated historic Armory. It's a great place for families to stay, with a pool, room service, and easy access to restaurants, the movies, and, of course, Kidcity. (70 Main Street, 860-346-2288 website)